An innovative solution for the biggest problem in package delivery

PostNL is the biggest delivery company in the Netherlands. They deliver thousands of packages each day and with the rise of online shopping, the number of packages is increasing day after day. The biggest problem they face is that at least one-third of doors stay closed because no-one is home.

PostNL was the client of a big group project in my second year. In a group of three people, we decided to try to find a solution to the problem. We came up with a shared box to be put somewhere in the street. This box serves as a public mailbox for packages. The packages are stored underground and can be retrieved by identifying with the supplementary smartphone app. The mailman puts in all the packages and checks for any outgoing packages as well, since it also works as an outbox to send packages. This solution responds to the current trend of ease and the fact that delivery times do not correspond with working hours.

After the concept was pretty clear, we decided that we needed some prototypes to show the client in the Sprint Review. My role in this project was the prototyper, so I was responsible for the prototype. My intention of this prototype was to stand out from the other team, by making a 3D model of our product. The first one I made was an iron box that looked too similar to the public bins many Dutch flats have. The client did not really like this representation for that reason and told us to make the process more clear and visible to the user.

After the feedback, I felt we had to go in a different direction. We came up with a terminal-ish pillar, mainly made out of glass. In this way, the user could see his package going down or coming up the pillar. This shape also allowed us to use a better operatable display.

The bottom part of the pillar is orange glass, PostNL’s main color. The middle part is made out of clear glass. It has a moving panel which acts as a door. The top is a more rigid and non-translucent material like a polycarbonate or metal.

This is the final prototype of the product. The 3D model is made in Blender. Even though this was one of my first creations using this tool, I am quite happy with the result. To give the client an idea of the way it works, I made a small demo animation. Both the client and my teacher were very happy with the final results.